Seoul, South Korea – The 6th International Forum hosted by the Overseas Korean Media Association (OKMA) on November 4th at the National Assembly Museum saw a barrage of criticism directed at the policies of the Korean Diaspora Affairs Commission. The forum was attended by over 130 participants, including 30 publishers from Korean media outlets in 23 countries and heads of Korean community organizations based in South Korea.
Participants pointed out that despite increased budgetary allocations, the Commission has been neglecting its primary responsibilities of supporting local Korean communities and has instead been focusing on superficial events. Furthermore, the Commission was criticized for its authoritarian management style and bureaucratic inefficiencies.
Korean media outlets in overseas communities also raised concerns about biased reporting on Chinese Koreans in South Korean media. They argued that negative portrayals of Chinese Koreans in South Korean media have hindered the integration of Korean diaspora communities. The media outlets called for efforts to improve their own image and for South Korean media to change their reporting practices.
The forum also delved into the future direction of Korean diaspora policies. Participants suggested various ideas, including the establishment of a dedicated government agency for Korean diaspora affairs and the creation of a control tower for Korean diaspora policies. Discussions also touched on topics such as education for the next generation of Koreans overseas and the impact of improving inter-Korean relations on Korean diaspora communities.
OKMA President Kim Hoon emphasized the importance of the forum in assessing the roles and challenges faced by the Korean Diaspora Affairs Commission and in encouraging Korean media to contribute to the development of overseas Korean communities. Kim Sam-yeol, chairman of the Association of Families of Independence Movement Patriots, and Yoon Chang-ryeol, chairman of Daehan Sarang, delivered welcoming remarks. Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party, and Choo Kyung-ho, the floor leader of the People Power Party, sent written congratulatory messages.
Following the forum, OKMA members participated in a historical tour and held a meeting at the National Assembly, where they decided to hold a spring event in the United States in April 2025 to discuss the future direction of overseas Korean media.
The forum highlighted the challenges faced by overseas Korean communities and the need for the Korean Diaspora Affairs Commission to address these issues. The association called on the Commission to humbly accept criticism and make policy improvements based on the opinions of overseas Koreans. Additionally, OKMA emphasized the importance of Korean media in representing the voices of overseas Koreans and promoting multicultural understanding in South Korean society.
[Key Points from Speeches]
Im Chae-wan, Director of the Korean Diaspora Research Institute: Emphasized the need for a "Korean inclusive policy" that aligns with the Constitution and advocated for the revision of the Basic Law on Overseas Koreans to establish a dedicated government agency for Korean diaspora affairs.
Kim Yong-pil, Publisher of Dongpo World News: Criticized biased reporting on Chinese Koreans in South Korean media and emphasized the need for efforts to improve the image of Chinese Koreans and for South Korean media to avoid pouring cold water on their efforts.
Park Jong-kwon, Publisher of Gyeore Newspaper in Russia: Highlighted the role of Korean media in diaspora communities, particularly in preserving Korean identity and culture.
Kim Hoon, Publisher of Euro Journal: Criticized the Korean Diaspora Affairs Commission for its lack of substantial support for overseas Koreans despite increased budgetary allocations and pointed out the Commission's authoritarian management style.
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